Progesterone is a hormone of steroid nature, which is synthesized in both female and, strange as it may seem, in male organisms. However, the role of progesterone in the body of the weaker sex is much higher, especially during the bearing of the child. It's not for nothing that progesterone has been dubbed a pregnancy hormone.
Where is progesterone produced?
In women, progesterone is allocated primarily to the yellow body, a little - to the adrenal glands, and during pregnancy - to the placenta. In the first half of the menstrual cycle (approximately 14 days), the level of this hormone is relatively small. Next, during ovulation, one of the ovarian follicles becomes a yellow body, actively synthesizing progesterone. During this period, women have a certain increase in body temperature. If there was no conception, the yellow body gradually resolves, the synthesis of progesterone decreases - menstruation occurs.
The role of progesterone in pregnancy
When a woman becomes pregnant, the yellow body produces progesterone for about 16 weeks. Then this function passes the mature placenta. So for what does progesterone in the body of a pregnant woman respond?
Progesterone functions:
- prepares the uterus for the embryo;
- reduces the readiness of the uterus to contract, so that the fetal egg is not rejected;
- adapts the nervous system of the expectant mother;
- affects the growth of the uterus;
- interrupts a new menstrual cycle, when pregnancy occurs;
- prepares mammary glands for secretion;
- increases the production of sebum.
From this it follows that a significant deficiency of progesterone can not only lead to miscarriage in the early periods, but in general make conception impossible.
What other functions does progesterone do?
It is important to know what hormone progesterone is responsible for, in addition to maintaining pregnancy. First and foremost, it reduces the risk of developing tumorous and premalignant diseases of the uterus (myoma, endometriosis) and mammary glands. In addition, the hormone normalizes the level of sugar in the blood and improves its clotting, affects the exchange of calcium and trace elements, regulates blood pressure.